8 Balcony Garden Ideas to Transform your Space

Whether you have a balcony garden, shared communal space or even a small terrace garden, making the most of our small outdoor spaces can be challenging.

But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! This handy how-to guide will take you through a handful of inspiring garden balcony ideas to help get you thinking of ways to transform an enclosed space into a mini garden oasis.

Before you start, be safe and smart

This is a great, fun and easy project. However, if you do find yourself using any power tools or new pieces of furniture or equipment, always read the instruction manuals attached. We also recommend that you check out our DIY Safety Tips guide.

Choosing the right balcony plants

Depending on the position and amount of light, it’s important to choose the right kind of plants for your balcony garden.

If your balcony is shady, you could try geraniums, ferns or hostas as they are all beautiful options that can cope without a lot of sun. Smaller potted plants require little space and are the perfect way to inject some greenery to your apartment balcony. If you want to grow something edible, lettuce and parsley both thrive in shadier spots.

If you have a sunnier space, you should choose plants that can take the heat. Succulents or herbs such as oregano or rosemary are a fabulous way to brighten up your outside area – plus, they smell amazing.

Top tip: You can shop our outdoor plants here and get a helping hand on how to grow your balcony herb garden from our guide.

Adding vegetables

You don’t need a large country garden to grow your own fresh produce at home. If you want to create an eco-friendly balcony garden, start by introducing a small vegetable trough.

Tomatoes and carrots are both easy to grow in containers and require minimal attention, just make sure they are placed in an area that receives sufficient sunlight (about 6-8 hours a day).

Top tip: For all you eco warriors, an old wooden crate is a sustainable container option for your vegetables. Line the bottom of it with an old compost bag, add some drainage holes and you are good to go.

Consider your containers

Some plant pots (like big terracotta planters) are more suited to a larger, grounded space such as a courtyard and can be too heavy for smaller balcony gardens. Instead, opt for metal, plastic or even woven planters.

Before buying your planters, you may want to find out the weight restrictions of your balcony. It’s also important to choose containers with a good amount of drainage.

Trough planters are often large and can look very attractive – if your balcony can take the weight of them. If not, you’ll find a handful of balcony trough kits here.

Top tip: Larger planters will give you the opportunity to grow shrubs or a variety of garden vegetables, whilst smaller pots are better for herbs and succulents. Use a variety of sizes to create a more interesting space.

Use your vertical balcony space

Unlocking the vertical space of your balcony garden will allow you to grow more in your outside area.

Give yourself more room to put your pots, or to grow climbers like clematis and with a balcony trellis. You could even secure some hanging baskets to your walls with brackets. Plants like petunias and verbenas can be grown in hanging baskets and will add some stunning colour to your balcony.

If you fancy some DIY, check out our step-by-step guide on how to make a gorgeous vertical garden planter.

Top tip: Don’t be afraid to mix and match as many colours as you like to create a bright and creative looking space.

Looking after your balcony plants

Once you have chosen your plants, containers and where to put them, it is important not to forget about their upkeep.

Most potted plants grow best with potting soil as it promotes greener, healthier foliage. Make sure that your plants are well watered to keep the soil moist.

Due to the enclosed nature of this outdoor space, use plant food or fertilisers to give your balcony plants the best chance at life.

Top tip: Remember not to overwater your plants – the pot will restrict the amount of soil available to hold water.

Balcony furniture

Balconies are often small spaces to work with and therefore you need to be smart about the furniture you choose.

You could add a garden bistro set to enjoy a peaceful morning coffee or romantic evening meal. You can even choose one that folds up easily so that it could also be stored inside if necessary.

To achieve a modern balcony garden aesthetic, opt for sleek lines and a muted colour palette.

Or, if you don’t want to invest in outdoor furniture, you could add some outdoor cushions and rugs to create a cosy feel.

Top tip: If you have a particularly sunny balcony, choose brighter coloured furniture as it heats up more slowly.

Lighting and heating

Finally, to really set the mood for your new balcony garden, add some outdoor lighting and heating.

Outdoor lanterns are a great option if you’re renting. However, if you want something a little more permanent you could add a wall light or two.

Create a magical ambience by simply adding string lights and outdoor candles. To keep warm in the evenings, add an electric heater to stop the chill from ruining your time outside.

Top tip: To make your balcony garden even more eco-friendly, consider investing in solar lighting instead. For more sustainable gardening tips and tricks, check out our inspirational guide.

Don’t forget to share your balcony garden transformations with us @Homebase_uk and visit our Ideas & Advice page for more home renovation tips.

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